Tests pending, but Worthy's knee didn't look good

Dec. 31, 2012

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The Green Bay Packers rookie defensive lineman still was having tests performed as of Monday morning, but Packers coach Mike McCarthy confirmed there is a degree of concern about the severity of the injury.

Worthy, who has 14 tackles and 2˝ sacks this season, was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter and needed crutches to get out of the locker room while wearing a full leg brace after the game.

The Packers are in a better situation on the defensive line than they were earlier this month with the return of C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal, but have already lost several recent high draft picks to significant injuries over the past year.

That list already includes linebacker Nick Perry (wrist), and offensive tackles Derek Sherrod (broken leg) and Bryan Bulaga (hip), the team's last three first-round picks who have been all lost for the season.

On the other hand, the Packers appear to have dodged a bullet with linebacker Clay Matthews and wide receiver Jordy Nelson (knee), who each left Sunday’s game with injuries before returning.

Nelson was originally sitting as a precaution before reentering the game when wide receiver Jarrett Boykin left after coming down awkward on his ankle during a fourth-and-1 catch.

“There’s nothing that the staff felt very serious about,” said McCarthy of Matthews and Nelson.

As for defensive back Charles Woodson, he was doing what's become his usual Monday routine of meeting with team doctors to see if he can be cleared for contact from the broken collarbone that’s sidelined him for the past 10 weeks.